TOTAL OF 50 NEW TRAFFIC OFFICERS JUST IN TIME FOR FESTIVE SEASON
Posted on: 15/12/2017

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TOTAL OF 50 NEW TRAFFIC OFFICERS JUST IN TIME FOR FESTIVE SEASON
News, Accidents, Robberies & Incidents | Western Cape | City of Cape Town

15 Dec 2017, Cape Town: The graduation of a batch of Traffic Services recruits today brings the total number of new traffic officers inducted into the City’s ranks to 50 since July.

The City of Cape Town’s newest traffic recruits will hit the streets just in time for the peak festive season. The group of 20 officers received their certificates at a graduation ceremony today after completing their studies and practical assessments.

In 2015 the Traffic Services Department embarked on a learnership programme to ensure the ongoing recruitment and training of officers to counter the natural attrition within its ranks.

The graduates are the latest group of recruits to have completed the programme, just six months after 30 others graduated after walking the same road. Increasing our staff complement aligns with the City's commitment to promoting safer communities under the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan.
As part of the selection process to whittle down the thousands of applications received, candidates had to complete written and physical assessments. This was followed by a round of interviews, medical examinations, criminal checks and reference checks.

The group of 20 that was left standing after the rigours of the assessment then completed a 12-month Further Education and Training course in Road Traffic Law Enforcement offered in partnership with the Metro Police Training Academy. The course also included training in handling firearms, conducting roadblocks and point duty, and restraining techniques..

‘The learnership programme has made it possible for us to replenish staff numbers where officers have retired or resigned, but it is also an opportunity to increase the number of traffic officers in Cape Town. Road safety continues to be one of our biggest headaches and so these new recruits will have their work cut out for them.

‘I encourage the new officers to wear their uniforms with pride and to be mindful of the responsibility that comes with the job. Enforcing the law fairly is crucial, but so too is changing the behaviour of road users through constant awareness and education.

‘I also caution the public not to underestimate the rookies. At our recent annual awards, one of the 2016 graduates was a nominee for officer of the year after generating nearly 6 000 cases, confiscating 168 cellphones and making 49 arrests in his first year on the job. That is the calibre of officer who is donning the uniform and is indicative of the passion and enthusiasm that these graduates bring. So motorists, consider yourselves warned; and to the class of 2017, consider yourselves challenged,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.




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